The dark months are a time of rest and renewal, not a time of high energy. The fairies return to their underground homes at Halloween and return aboveground on May Day. Give in to the slower pace of the winter. Expect less of yourself; enjoy more time in bed. Stop fighting the dark. Let it be deep and nourishing. Before electric lights, humans slept twelve hours a day during the winter. Recognize the softer energy of contemplation and enjoy it, just as you do the active energy of summer.

Herb tonics can help us lighten up and stay healthier all winter. My favorite winter tonics are sunlight, St. Joan’s wort tincture, elder berry tincture, linden infusion, sauerkraut, and organ meats.

Get out into the sun. Not just in the winter, but in the summer too. And skip the sunscreen. Overuse is causing an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency, which leads to depression, weak bones, and cancer. For optimum mental and physical health – and for sustainable energy – humans need 15-30 minutes of unfiltered sunlight on hands, face and eyes (no glasses, no contacts) every day. You won’t make vitamin D in the northern states during the winter, but sunlight still has beneficial effects on the pineal gland, and thus, overall health. Special high-intensity lights are used to help those who deal with winter depression; but natural sunlight is preferable.

Hypericum perforatum is the botanical name for the famous St. John’s wort, better known to me as St. Joan’s wort. This yellow-flowered plant thrives in the hottest, sunniest locations and spends the summer soaking up the sun so she can give it back to you when the outer or inner skies are grey. A dropperful of the tincture, taken as often as every two hours, if needed, can brighten your mood rapidly. I love the winter, so I use Hypericum as an antiviral. A dropperful a day (more if flu threatens) helps prevent colds and the flu.

Elder berries are the fruit of the magical elder bush (Sambucus nigra). All parts of the elder have been used to help us get through the winter. It is said that a powerful woman lives in the elder; I call her Elda Mor, though she has many, many names. If asked to help, she will. But she resents demands and grows furious if she is used without thanks. As much as a teaspoonful of elder berry tincture can be used daily to improve mood and immunity.

Linden blossoms (Tillia americana or europa) are the world’s most popular winter tonic. I make an infusion by brewing a half-ounce (weight measurement) of the flowers in a quart of boiling water. I steep my infusion, tightly covered, off the heat, for at least four hours. For remedial relief of sore throat or bronchitis, I start with cold water and bring the herb and water to a boil together. A big spoonful of honey in each cup of the infusion – strained and heated – isn’t necessary, but adds delight.

Sauerkraut, or any naturally fermented vegetables including Kimchee, feed the underground parts of our beings. A small serving daily from the beginning of December through the end of March can totally prevent the flu. Let the summer stored in the vegetables speak to you of joy.

Organ meats are an old secret for staying healthy, especially in the winter, when we need the concentrated goodness of meat. Liver is a powerful, rich source of vitamins D and A, as well as iron and other minerals needed to keep depression away and strengthen immunity. Eating animals is the surest way to love them and help them. When we buy organic meats, we are voting for well-tended animals who live with dignity and who take pride in contributing to our well-being. When we refuse to eat animals, we leave them in the hands of those who don’t care. And we short-change our own health.

Green blessings!

In early November the veil between this world and the world of spirit which opens wide during late October, shuts itself tightly once again.  This often leaves  we sensitives with feelings of depression and loss.  We feel overly grounded due to the loss of excessive magical energy, and just end up wanting to sleep.  We’re drained of energy, and find ourselves understanding why bears have a want to hibernate.  Hello Winter!

To shake this feeling, regain our energy and get back on a good magical track once again, we need to more closely connect with self.  When we reconnect with our own magical energy, the power from within us serves to make up for the  loss of the external magical  power the open veil provided.  Luckily Mother Earth has provided us with some very helpful stone friends for this time of year.

Fluorite, be it green, purple, blue, or rainbow, is a wonderful stone to assist us in connecting to our own power. It is also a wonderful stone for meditation.  Meditating is another wonderful way of reconnecting with the magic of ourselves and our guides during this dark and sleepy time of year.  Which type of fluorite is best for this exercise of reconnecting depends on which feels best to you.  Holding or wearing this lovely opening stone will do wonders for your energy level as well as serving nicely to lift winter depression.

Amethyst, a lovely form of quartz that comes in shades from light purple to almost black, is another wonderful stone to assist in lifting the haze of winter depression.  It resonates with the 6th and 7th chakras, and is a powerful mental healing stone.

Moonstone is another wonderful stone for this time of year. It works with the 7th chakra.  It works with different energetic methods than fluorite, but it is also a stone very good at connecting a person to his/her own personal power and higher self.  It is also a stone of magic, and perfect for helping us to reach the magic within to overcome the heavy winter blues.